Marina
Kansas State University (K-State) has made headlines after announcing that it will remove the word “diversity” from its official mission statement.
The decision comes in response to a new Kansas state law requiring public institutions to eliminate programs and policies tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The change, though simple in wording, carries major implications for students, faculty, and the university’s identity moving forward.
Why Did K-State Remove “Diversity”?
The university’s leaders said the update is not optional but rather required by Senate Bill 125, a Kansas law passed in 2024. The bill bans universities and other state agencies from:
- Running diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
- Using pronoun identifiers in staff email signatures.
- Requiring diversity statements in hiring or admissions.
K-State’s President, Richard Linton, told the Kansas Board of Regents that the mission statement must reflect the new law:
“We are asking for the change, ‘The university embraces all’ rather than ‘diversity.’ This is to comply with Senate Bill 125.”
The Board of Regents unanimously approved the update.
What the Mission Statement Looked Like Before and After
K-State’s old mission statement was adopted in December 2008. It stated:
“The university embraces diversity, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.”
The new version replaces “diversity” with “all”:
“The university embraces all, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.”
K-State Mission Change
| Aspect | Before (2008 Mission Statement) | After (2025 Mission Statement) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Term | “Embraces diversity” | “Embraces all” |
| Reason for Change | Promote inclusivity and multiculturalism | Comply with Senate Bill 125 |
| Approved By | Kansas Board of Regents, Dec. 2008 | Kansas Board of Regents, 2025 |
| Broader Impact | Reflected support for DEI initiatives | Removes explicit diversity reference |
Impact of Senate Bill 125 on Universities
The law that took effect in July 2024 makes Kansas one of several states scaling back DEI-related programs. Key details include:
- No DEI Statements: Universities cannot require diversity-related statements in hiring or admissions.
- Fines for Violations: Colleges could face penalties of up to $10,000 if they fail to comply.
- Policy Revisions: The Kansas Board of Regents has removed language about “multiculturalism and diversity” from official guidelines.
This shift follows similar actions in states like Missouri, Texas, and Florida, where universities have cut back or eliminated diversity offices.
How Does K-State Compare With Other Kansas Universities?
Interestingly, Kansas State University was the only state university with the word “diversity” in its mission. Other public institutions already had different language.
| University | Mission Statement Highlight |
|---|---|
| University of Kansas | “Educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.” |
| Wichita State University | “Be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.” |
| Fort Hays State University | “Provide accessible quality education… to develop engaged global citizen-leaders.” |
| Emporia State University | “Preparing students for lifelong learning, rewarding careers and adaptive leadership.” |
| Pittsburg State University | “Make life better through education.” |
| Kansas State University (before) | “Embraces diversity, encourages engagement…” |
| Kansas State University (after) | “Embraces all, encourages engagement…” |
This shows that while the removal of “diversity” is significant for K-State, it also brings the university in line with the wording used by other Kansas universities.
National Trend Against DEI Programs
K-State’s decision is part of a larger national debate on DEI in higher education. Across the United States, conservative lawmakers have pushed back against diversity initiatives, arguing that they promote division or unnecessary bureaucracy.
As a result:
- Several universities have closed diversity offices.
- Colleges are revising hiring practices to remove diversity statements.
- Mission statements are being rewritten to avoid references to DEI.
Supporters of the Kansas law argue that it ensures neutrality and fairness, while critics fear it reduces efforts to create inclusive campuses for underrepresented students.
What This Means for Students and Faculty
The change in the mission statement does not directly affect daily classes or programs at K-State. However, there are indirect impacts:
- Student Services – Offices or initiatives that once promoted diversity may lose funding or be dissolved.
- Hiring Practices – Faculty candidates will not face diversity-related questions in applications, but universities may also struggle to recruit from broader backgrounds.
- Campus Culture – The removal of the word “diversity” may be seen as symbolic, shaping how the university is perceived both locally and nationally.
The decision by Kansas State University to drop “diversity” from its mission reflects a broader trend across Kansas and other U.S. states to scale back DEI initiatives. Driven by Senate Bill 125, the update changes the language from “embraces diversity” to “embraces all.”
While supporters see the move as compliance with the law and a shift toward inclusivity in a different form, critics worry it reduces the university’s visible commitment to underrepresented groups.
For students, faculty, and alumni, this change is both symbolic and practical. Symbolic because it redefines how K-State presents itself, and practical because it may shape how resources, hiring, and support services operate going forward.
As Kansas joins other states in reshaping higher education policy, the debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion is far from over. Kansas State University’s mission change is just one example of how these policies are rewriting the future of higher education in America.